Implementation of trade facilitation measures

Trade and transport facilitation and development Trade facilitation and regional integration Private sector expectations from the WTO negotiations on trade facilitation Implementation of trade facilitation measures Conclusions and the way forward

Some experts highlighted the need for trade facilitation measures.

Regional organizations will play a key role in advancing trade facilitation and in implementing measures that may result from a multilateral agreement on trade facilitation.

The implementation of trade facilitation measures needs to rely on local knowledge, build on regional trade and transport facilitation networks, and make use of existing tools.

A number of UNCTAD member countries have introduced trade and transport facilitation committees with a view to improving coordination between different agencies when implementing trade and transport facilitation measures.

Trade facilitation

The issue of the cost of trade facilitation measures was raised several times, and fears were expressed that the gap between LDCs and developed countries would increase because of the lack of available financial resources to implement trade facilitation measures.

Priority three International trade and trade facilitation

Trade facilitation and logistics

facilitation measures in the region. It was argued that differing capacities among countries in the region and individual circumstances require an overarching body to oversee and coordinate implementation of trade and transport facilitation measures.

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) initiated a trade transport facilitation project designed to set up a consultative mechanism through which key stakeholders involved in international trade and transport could agree on trade facilitation policy measures.

Important benefits of trade and transport facilitation measures relate to time savings, which often outweigh direct cost savings.

(iv) World Trade Organization (WTO) WTO Trade Facilitation

Trade facilitation and regional integration

Trade facilitation was also important.

In fact, several specific trade facilitation measures, including those related to transit trade and coordination at border crossings, are often included in the trade promotion agendas of regional organizations.

Trade and transport facilitation and development

Trade and transport facilitation and development

Mr. David Wakeford, Trade Facilitation Alliance

Experience in some African countries suggests that successful implementation of trade facilitation measures relies on public private partnerships, cooperation with regional trade and transport facilitation networks, political will, and the inclusion of private sector stakeholders in capacity building programmes.

Several reports on national experiences suggested that trade and transport facilitation measures can have positive effects for a country's general development.

Trade facilitation as an engine for development

Status of WTO negotiations on trade facilitation

Introduction to implementation issues in trade facilitation

One of those issues was trade facilitation.

The secretariat was also providing technical assistance to LDCs on identifying needs and priorities for trade facilitation and establishing trade facilitation platforms.

It is important to aim for an equitable balance of the benefits of trade and transport facilitation measures among all trading partners.

ICT can be expected to play an increasing role in the design and implementation of trade and transport facilitation measures and programmes.

Developing countries must be proactive in designing and implementing trade facilitation measures for enhancing efficiency, reducing transaction costs and maintaining supply capacities.

Concerning the recently initiated negotiations on trade facilitation issues at the World Trade Organization, developing countries needed the support of the international community to better identify their related needs and priorities, and to estimate the costs of implementation of specific facilitation measures.

Mr. Omar E. Odarda, Trade Facilitation Alliance, Switzerland

Efficient transport and trade facilitation to improve participation

Topic Trade facilitation as an engine for development

On the issue of trade facilitation and transport, financing and training were needed in order to implement container security measures in developing countries.

The single window concept is a particularly important trade facilitation measure, as it provides a platform on which to build further trade facilitation programs.

(e) Establishment of a regional network in support of the above stated activities, using existing groups for trade facilitation and liberalization and national trade facilitation bodies, establishing a virtual community of users of innovative trade facilitation and information exchange tools

Trade facilitation offers a development dividend for all countries.

Capacity building in trade facilitation was of critical importance.

Efficient transport and trade facilitation to improve participation by developing countries in international trade

Finally, general efforts to promote integrity can benefit from trade and transport facilitation measures that reduce individual civil servants' discretion in interpreting rules and regulations.

South South and intra regional trade in particular would benefit from multilateral trade facilitation agreements.

Theme Efficient transport and trade facilitation to improve participation by developing countries in international trade

Expert Meeting on Trade Facilitation as an Engine for Development

Private sector expectations from the WTO negotiations on trade facilitation